Calvin f



(No Model.)

0. F. DARNELL.

FENCE.

No. 415,382. Patented Nov. 19, 1889.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CALVIN F. DARNELL, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO\VILLIAM L. TAYLOR, OF SAME PLACE.

FENCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 415,382, dated November19, 1889.

Serial No. 310,731. (No model.)

' following is a specification.

My said invention relates to that class of fences which are composedprincipally of metal pipe and wire; and it consist-s in certain detailsof construction and arrangements of parts by which such a fence ischeapened and improved, as will be hereinafter more particularlydescribed and claimed.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which are made a part hereof,and on which similar letters of reference indicate similar parts, Figure1 is a side elevation of a section of a fence embodying my improvements,the foot of one of the posts being shown in section; Fig. 2, ahorizontal sectional view looking downwardly from the dotted line 2 2'in Fig. 1, the parts being shown separated to illustrate theirindividual construction more clearly; Fig. 3, a vertical sectional viewon the dotted line 3 3 in Fig. 1; Fig. 4, a horizontal sectional Viewlooking downwardly from the dotted line 4 4 in Fig. 1; Fig. 5, avertical sectional view looking toward the left from the dotted line 5 5in Fig. 1, (see also Fig. 4;) Fig. 6, a vertical sectional view lookingupwardly from the dotted line 6 6 in Fig.4; Fig. 7, a perspective viewof the pawlwedge by which the ratchets are held to position; Fig. 8, atransverse sectional View of the post-foot on the dotted line 8 8 inFig. 1; Fig. 9, a similar view on the dotted line 9 9 Fig. 10, avertical sectional view on the dotted line 10 10 in Fig. 2 when theparts are in engagement, and Fig. 11 a detail View of a portion of thefoot in elevation on the dotted line 11 11 in Fig. 1.

In said drawings, the portions marked A represent the fence-post,B therail, and O the wire.

The postAconsists,preferab1y, of a section of pipe of suitable size andlength provided with a cast foot A and cap A as shown. Each foot A ispreferably formed with a socket in its top to receive the lower end ofthe section of pipe, and is tapered to a point,

with four laterally-projecting Wings, two of which, on opposite sides,are formed with short tapered wings a on their edges near the top, whichextend out in each direction at substantially right angles with the mainwing. Each post is provided with a series of staples a, arranged inposition to support the wires, the prongs of which are inserted throughperforations in one side of said post to its inte- 6o rior and thereclinched by driving a rod of suitable size down into the post againstthe portion of said prongs which extends therein. This rod is thenwithdrawn and the cap A put in position by inserting its shank into thetop of the post, which shank preferably extends to below the top staplea and has a vertical groove in one side to receive the turned-down endsof said staple, as shown in Fig. 3, and thus lock and secure these sev-7o eral parts securely in position. When only the top wire is used inthe construction, as is common, of course only this one staple would beused, and its ends would be clinched by the driving of the shank of thecap into the p The rail B is ordinarily a section of gaspipe of suitablesize and length, and is coupled to the post Abya coupling B, which isformed with a concave or semicircular inner face adapted to embrace andfit closely against the post and provided with a projecting lug b, whichfits into a perforation in the post provided for the purpose. On itsopposite or outer end is formed a shank adapted to fit inside the end ofthe rail. Each end of the rail being thus connected to its post, and thepost being secured from spreading apart by the wires, as will bepresently described, it is very firmly secured in position. In thedrawings but one of these rails is illustrated, but any number desiredcould be used, as will be readily understood.

The wires .0 are shown as flat twisted wire, but may be of any formdesired, this partic- 5 ular form being preferred for many kinds offences because of its size, which renders it easily perceptible. Saidwires run through the staples a on the intermediate posts, and areconnected to the end post by means of tight- I00 ening devices securedthereto by means of clips 0, which surround the post and have transversebolts 0, supported in bearings formed in the projecting ends of each.Each bolt is formed square between the bearings, and has a spool cmounted thereon, the flanges of which are formed as ratchet-wheels. Saidspool is divided at the center and a notch c is cut in the adjacentends, forming a hole in which to insert the end of the wire and connectit to the spool, as shown in Figs. 4, and 6. The wire being thusconnected, the bolt is turned, by means of a wrench applied to its head,until the wire has been wound up to the desired tension, when thewedge Cformed especially for this position, is inserted between the spool andthe post. Each of the ratchet-flanges of the spool engages with a pawlformed thereon, and thus the device is locked securely in position, thestrain being directed against the wedge, tending to force it moretightly in place, and preventing any possibility of its becomingdisengaged until loosened up by means of a wrench or forcibly removed.

I am aware that fences of this same general plan of construction havebefore been made, and I do not therefore desire to be understood asclaiming the same, broadly, but limit myself to the various improvementsin the details of construction herein shown and claimed, by which a verycheap and durable fence is provided. By the flanges a on the wings ofthe feet of the post a large resisting surface is provided, and theearth becoming closely packed around all these flanges the post is madevery rigid and secure. By clinching the staples on the interior of thepost its outside surface is left smooth, and no projecting parts areleft to catch and tear the clothing, and the removal of said staples isrendered practically impossible.

The rail-couplings are not only cheap and easily put in place, butsecure the rail beyond movement or displacement in any direction.

Having thus fully described my said invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, in a fence, of the posts, hollow or hollow-endedstay-rods extending between said posts, and couplings or jointirons foruniting the posts and the stay-rods, said posts having perforations intheir sides, and said couplings being formed upon one side to fitagainst the sides of said posts, with projections adapted to enter theperforations therein, and provided also with other projections adaptedto enter the hollow ends of the stay-rods, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, in a fence, of the hollow posts A, havingperforations therein, staples a, inserted through said perforations tothe interior of said posts and there bent down, asshown, the rails orstay-rods B, extending between the posts, the couplings or jointirons B,uniting said rails and said posts, as described, and the wires orflexible members 0, secured at the ends and passing through said staplesaat intermediate points, all substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, in a fence, of the posts A, the staples a, insertedthrough one side to within said posts, and clinched caps A which passdown into said posts alongside the upper one of said staples, which arethereby held securely, rails B between the posts, couplings uniting saidposts and rails, and Wires 0 passing through said staples, substantiallyas set forth.

4:. The combination of the posts A, rails B, connected therewith, thecouplings B, uniting said posts and said rails, the wires 0, and thetightening device supported on one post by a clip, consisting of thebolt 0, the divided spool c, with notches in the adjacent ends thereofto receive the wire, and with ratchet ends, and the pawl-wedge orlocking-plate 0 all substantially as set forth.

5. The combination,in a fence, of the rails, the posts, couplings B,uniting said rails and posts, and wires also passing along said postsand connected thereto, said posts being provided with post-bases, whichpost-bases have laterally-projecting tapered wings, a portion of whichare formed with outwardly-projecting flanges upon their edges, allsubstantially as shown and described, and for the purposes specified. v

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, atIndianapolis, Indiana, this 10th day of May, D. 1889.

CALVIN -F. DARNELL.

